Europa Cruises Corporation Announces the Election Of Benjamin J. Harrell to the Board of Directors
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Europa Cruises Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: KRUZ - News) announced today that on July 18, 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company voted to elect Benjamin J. Harrell to its Board.
Mr. Harrell is the founder and former President and CEO of Pete Fountain Productions, Inc. The company was a nationally recognized organization, which produced special events and entertainment for corporations and conventions throughout the United States. In 1999, the company was acquired by PGI (Production Group International, Inc.), a global event communications agency which delivers strategic marketing, communications and event services to corporations and organizations. Mr. Harrell continues to manage the acquiring company's business in the New Orleans market. Mr. Harrell currently serves as Vice-President of Pete Fountain Entertainment, LLC, which runs one of the largest jazz clubs in New Orleans. Since 1975, Mr. Harrell has served as personal manager for the internationally known jazz artist, Pete Fountain. Mr. Harrell handles all aspects of Mr. Fountain's career, including promotion, concerts, personal appearances, and commercial endorsements. Mr. Harrell is also the founder and President of Crescent Sound & Light, Inc., a professional sound, lighting, video, and staging company for the convention and entertainment industry. Mr. Harrell formerly served on the Board of Directors for the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Harrell owns approximately 380,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
Mr. Harrell, commenting on his new position, stated: "I have been involved in the entertainment and hospitality industry for many years. I have watched the Gulf Coast grow into a casino resort. In my opinion, the Company's Diamondhead property is the most valuable piece of property in the entire area because of its easy access and location on Interstate 10. I look forward to assisting the Company in reaching its ultimate objective and developing the Diamondhead site."
Deborah A. Vitale, President and Chairman of the Board, commenting on the appointment of Mr. Harrell, stated: "Mr. Harrell is a native of the Mississippi/New Orleans market in which the Company will eventually operate. His intimate familiarity with the tourism, promotions and marketing industry in this area will prove invaluable to the Company in designing, marketing and promoting a casino resort that takes optimum advantage of the characteristics of the market in which we intend to eventually operate. Mr. Harrell's extensive and longtime familiarity with both the local and non-local customer base that the Company will eventually market to, is a valuable asset for any Company developing a casino resort. Mr. Harrell also has business and professional contacts in Mississippi who have already been instrumental in helping the Company. We are grateful for his past assistance and look forward to his future contributions to the Company.
Europa Cruises Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Casino World, Inc., intends to develop a destination casino resort and hotel at its 404 acre site on the Bay of St. Louis in Diamondhead, Mississippi. There is no outstanding debt and there are no liens on the property. |
